Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1520947
15 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 MAY 2024 NEWSt KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt THE developers who were eyeing a stretch of Ta' Qali's agricultur- al land for a fitness and obstacle course development, have re- quested a permit to build two wa- ter reservoirs and a pump room, for the irrigation of trees. The two 72sq.m reservoirs will be sited on the 39,000sq.m plot previously earmarked for an ob- stacle course tack. Mad Fitness is a company owned by Darren Desira and Bi- lom Group owner Michael Buge- ja, which has declared owning the land along Vjal l-Istadium Nazz- jonali. MaltaToday is informed that part of this land is still tilled by tenants. The PA's advisory panel on agricultural issues said the ap- plicants are not registered with the Agriculture Directorate, and that the site is still registered on a third party. Only one reservoir of over 100 cubmic metres, and one pump room of not more than 4sq.m, are being recommended for approval by the advisory pan- el. Mad Fitness's previous appli- cation for the development of an obstacle course on this land was withdrawn during a planning hearing in July 2023, following a negative recommendation by the PA's planning directorate. Pro- ject architect Colin Zammit had requested a 'suspension' of the application in view of the gov- ernment's intention to introduce a new policy to regulate outdoor gyms, as learnt by the developers in meetings with government of- ficials. The request for a suspension was however turned down by the PA board. PA board chairman Emmanuel Camilleri and execu- tive chairman Oliver Magro in- sisted the request could not be entertained because the PA was not officially informed about the policy review. Both insisted that a suspension can only accepted when the PA is informed by the planning minister of such a re- view. Mad Fitness was eyeing an ob- stacle course that included the planting of 836 trees, includ- ing 154 Cypress trees and 114 Sandara Gums, with two under- ground reservoirs to water them. Over 7,400sq.m of the plot was to be covered by beaten earth for the obstacle course, and a further 3,100sq.m for the outside gym and fitness centre, and 418sq.m of hard paving for the entrance. Changing rooms and showers, sanitary facilities and an infor- mation centre with outside tables near the entrance were included in the project. But the Ta' Qali Action Plan designates this site for agriculture and horticulture; only buildings and uses essential to the needs of agriculture can be permitted, and only if it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the PA that such development will not ad- versely affect water supply, soil, and the surrounding area of high landscape value. The case officer recommended refusal because the proposed de- velopment was deemed to be in breach of the Strategic Plan for Environment and Development and was not considered neces- sary within the rural area, did not sustain agriculture and resulted in a negative impact on the area. The PA received over 400 objec- tions to the development, includ- ing one from Moviment Graffitti which objected to the take up of agricultural land. Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) is a sports activity where athletes run through a variety of different obstacles, in races inspired by military training methods to test physical and mental endurance. Courses may also include climb- ing over walls or up ropes, mon- key bars, carrying heavy objects, and traversing bodies of water or mud, or crawling under wire or netting. Ta' Qali obstacle course developers seek green light for reservoirs MALTA'S biggest television show is back, and with it the gossip, speculation and controversy that only Love Island can drum up. Despite the concern on whether the raunchy reality show would be a success given Malta's more con- servative audience, Love Island raked in audience record on audi- ence record. Love Island Malta's premiere set a record with 160,000 viewers. The viewership numbers skyrock- eted in subsequent weeks, with an average of 170,000 tuning in to watch the full reality TV series. The show's producers said 93% of 16-25-year-olds in Malta watched Love Island. Nearly a quarter of a million people watched the show's fina- le, breaking Malta's TV viewer- ship record – a record which still stands. But fans of the franchise have complained the first season was a bit too vanilla compared to the other countries', having been ac- customed to more drama, fight- ing and hostility between con- testants. The contestants failed to take over the top risks, and couples stayed relatively the same as they had been coupled up during the first episodes of the series. But the show's producers look like they have upped the ante already. The participants' age bracket is similar, avoiding last year's mismatch with Sabrina and Nate. The first coupling of the season was also left in the audience's hands during a three-hour vot- ing session on the show's app which happened on Wednesday between 6pm and 9pm, giving it that extra hit of uncertainty. In a Q&A, producers also said islanders will be treated to a Casa Amor "with a twist". Casa Amor typically takes place at the half- way point during the season, with the aim being to test the island- ers' loyalty to their partners. It in- volves separating the couples and sending either the girls or boys to Casa Amor whilst their partners remain in the main villa. Last but not least, the audience are expecting the islanders to be riskier, kinkier and a bit more naught. Love Island Season 2 will air for the first time tonight on TVM at 9pm. Turning up the heat at the Love Island villa